Stawell Secondary College

Students:

Resources :

Papier Mache Book, Zart Paper Magiclay, gouache or acrylic paint, brushes, fine liners / markers, clear gloss varnish, photocopier

Responding to the Arts Students:

• select the same art work, and both the art work and the artist are to be the focus of their research;
• carry out research on the internet and through library references;
• produce individual cards/pages or booklets on various aspects of the art work and artist;
• give a class presentation on their researched art work and artist using each card/page/booklet enclosed in the book cover.

Resources

Internet, computer access, printers, scanners, library references, teacher guide question sheet (details of the required areas to be covered in research) and coloured Cover Paper

Two new "Zart Art" products, the Papier-Mache Book and Zart Paper Magiclay, inspired this unit.

Initially, I thought of a unit for year 7 and year 8 but as my ideas developed, I could see the potential for a unit in Year 10. (The junior unit is still in the pipe line.)

The task of engaging students in art research has always been a challenge, and I have found that the students responded to this unit positively.

The students had a choice as to which art work they wanted to explore both visually and theoretically for this task. A huge range of art works were chosen, which promoted the ultimate sharing of knowledge through their class talks within the group of 24.

Each chosen art work was enlarged and sectioned according to the student's ideas about the front, back and sides of their book cover. They were required not to lose the essence of the art work.

Zart Paper Magiclay was then used to emphasize parts of the image, eg., Marilyn Munroe's lips and blonde hair in Warhol's art work, the apple placed in front of Magritte's 'Man with a Bowler hat' and Munch's 'Scream' figure.

Gouache paint was used to apply the colour as true to the colours in the reproduction as possible. Capturing roundness of form / background effects and colour mixes, etc. introduced an element of problem-solving to the exercise. Finer details were applied with coloured pencil, and fine liners, and for soft effects on the Frida Kahlo face, for example, shaved soft pastel was used.

The book covers were then sealed with a clear gloss spray varnish.

The students then began their research, using the internet and the art library reference section. They were required to research according to a teacher guide sheet, which asked them to produce well presented information cards/ pages/booklets on areas such as the background of the artist and the art work, style, techniques and media, influences, the use of the art elements, ie., line, shape, colour, compositional elements, depth, etc.

Students were also asked to include a bonus card/cards on an interesting/unusual point about the selected art work, eg. on the theme of astronomy and 'Scream'... the blood red skies witnessed in Europe after Krakatoa erupted, were said to have remained in Munch's memory. Ten years later, Munch painted the blood red sky in his famous painting...

OR... a bonus card for Klimt's 'The Kiss' book, featured several dress designs, influenced by the art of Gustave Klimt (found on an internet site).

In their card/page presentation, students could use computers, scanners, printers and Cover Paper.

The students were then asked to present their book and its contents to class members.

In developing the unit in this way, I have given my students a range of approaches to research and alternative methods of presentation.

Students enjoyed the activity and especially working with the two new products.